The timely tale of two Muslim youth who become exposed to radicalized Islam and their gripping journey to the opposite ends of the spectrum. Khalil (Played by Boonaa Mohammed) is a Somali born-again Muslim who has recently become reconnected with his faith after serving 4 years in a federal prison, and Anas (Played by Mohammed Zeyara) is a former police informant turned extremist who is bent on waging war against the system that ruined his life.

Watch The Film Today

INDIVIDUAL LICENSE

Get the full 60-minute feature length version of the film alongside the “Tug of War” manifesto supplementary reading.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“Furqaan Academy in collaboration with Muslim Association of Bolingbrook and Islamic Center of Naperville hosted a Free TUG OF WAR live movie screening event in Chicago and this event brought a lot of attention particularly to youth in our community.

Boonaa has done a great job bringing the issue of homegrown terrorism and how it can be prevented. He has explained how our youth can be misled and the lack of support in our communities can cause serious damage in their lives and their families.The youth were excited to see Br. Boonaa and meet him in person. We need more leaders like him to be a role model for our youth. ”

WajahatSayeed Founder and President Al-Furqaan Foundation

– WajahatSayeed

“The film was indeed, as advertised, very professionally made and complied with the shariah requirements. It was definitely a source of halal and meaningful entertainment. The post film presentation fit in perfectly with the message of the film and was very beneficial and almost necessary aspect of the film’s experience.

This was the first time that the Darwin Muslim community was having this important discussion of this rather taboo topic on such a large scale. The management of the Islamic Society of Darwin completely supports such projects. Given the age of the films and media will live in, it is essential that difficult topics such as these are explored via these means so that they appeal to and thus educate the masses of the Muslim ummah. It is also very important that Muslims themselves take the lead in these projects so that we are able to authentically proclaim our narrative instead of someone else doing it on our behalf.

Mohammed Raziuddin President Islamic society of Darwin

Mohammed Raziuddin

“There has been a desperate need for mainstream Muslim artists to step up and make a seat at the table where stories have, for too long, been told about us-without us. Boonaa Mohammed has done it by bringing to life this thoughtful, sensitive, and honest story through quality production.

In Tug of War, the complex nuances of Western Muslims are captured (finally!) in a manner that does justice to reality. To play a small role in reminding our communities, within both our Muslim and non-Muslim circles, the immense value of using our voice through art by hosting a screening was uniquely rewarding.

Though this film touches on potentially difficult topics, the need for introspection and discussion regarding them is necessary. And this movie has, among many things, helped facilitate the crucial process of looking in the mirror and beginning these conversations within our masaajid, MSAs, schools, homes, and institutions at large.”

“I was surprised at the high quality of the production of the film. The high level of script-writing, story-line and videography, which is all based on true experiences narrated from Imams and local Muslims residing in North America.

The post-film presentation by Boonaa Mohammed made the whole audience feel like they are part of this global project. It helped to clarify any questions the audience had, and provided in depth details about the production of the film. It also helped to inform audience members about how they can best fight against radicalization.

The work that Boonaa Mohammed’s doing is extremely important, especially in today’s society where media is the most dominant form of communication. This is the most powerful and effective way we can spread the beautiful message of Islam. We need to keep supporting projects like this, so that they become stronger and even more effective at propagating the true teachings of peace and Islam, to the entire world.”

MEET THE FILMMAKER

Dubbed the “voice of a generation,” Boonaa Mohammed is a critically acclaimed award winning writer, performer and film maker with accolades including a playwright residency at Theatre PasseMuraille, a short story published in a Penguin Canada anthology called “Piece by Piece” and various slam poetry titles credits including winner of the 2007 CBC Poetry Face-Off “Best New Artist” award.

His first feature length film “Tug of War” tells the gripping tale of two young Muslims who get exposed to radicalized Islam and he uses his popular Youtube videos have received Millions of views to date, and as an Artist he has toured and traveled across the world, speaking alongside some of the most influential scholars and entertainers of our time.

He frequently conducts writing workshops and seminars, sharing his experience and expertise in Spoken Word story-telling with mainly youth from all walks of life.